Joe Root delivers career-best knock to overturn England’s collapse and clinch the series in style.

Joe Root summoned one of the greatest innings of his career to lead England to a breathtaking three-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. His unbeaten 166 not only overturned a dire start but secured the series with a match to spare and saw him crowned England’s all-time leading ODI run-scorer.

It was an innings steeped in style, patience, and quiet defiance. Root arrived at the crease with England in disarray at 21 for two. By the time he stroked the winning boundary—his 23rd of the innings—he had redefined the game, finishing unbeaten on 166 from 139 balls.

England had appeared buried. Chasing 309, their top order crumbled in the face of fierce West Indian bowling. Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith both returned without scoring, the former compounding a miserable day that included two dropped catches and a glaring missed run-out. When Jos Buttler followed for a duck, England were 93 for four and floundering.

But Root stood firm. Supported initially by Harry Brook, whose brisk 47 hinted at composure before he mistimed a hook to Jayden Seales, Root held the innings together. Will Jacks, promoted to an unfamiliar No 7 role, added maturity to flair in a key partnership, quietly turning the strike and finishing with 49. But the script belonged to Root.

He unveiled every stroke in his armoury: the late cuts, the flicks off his legs, and a punchy straight drive for six. One shot even sailed over the wicketkeeper’s head with a touch of audacity. After his 150, he simply accelerated, guiding England from the brink of disaster to a series-clinching win.

“This kind of win, in a new-look side, gives us belief,” Root said. “It shows character, and hopefully it’s a foundation for something long-lasting.” He deflected praise, crediting England’s bowlers for restricting the West Indies to 308 despite a strong platform.

That platform was built by Keacy Carty, who struck a magnificent 103, and Shai Hope’s typically fluent 78. But the West Indies faltered late, slumping from 258 for four to 308 all out. A clatter of lower-order wickets, poor shot selection, and England’s improved death bowling handed the hosts a target that, on paper, was manageable—but quickly looked mountainous.

West Indies rued their missed opportunities. Root had scored just seven when he was struck on the pad by Matthew Forde. The appeal was turned down, and the review revealed the ball clipping the bails—umpire’s call saving the Englishman. On the next ball, Brook was dropped by Hope. “Those moments hurt,” admitted Carty. “We were that close to having them 41 for four.”

Instead, England climbed out of the trench. Root’s heroics overshadowed even his own record-breaking feat: passing Eoin Morgan to become England’s leading ODI scorer and the first Englishman to pass 7,000 runs in the format.

Brook, captaining England for just the second time, drew praise from Root. “He might not always be the sharpest away from cricket,” he joked, “but he reads the game brilliantly.” It was also a redemptive evening for Jacks, who showed steel in an unfamiliar role under enormous pressure.

For the West Indies, questions linger. Forde’s early wickets, Carty’s landmark innings, and a strong fielding start all came to nothing. They know they let a commanding position slip.

But England will care little. This was their day, their comeback, and most of all, Root’s triumph—a spellbinding innings that lifted a floundering side and reminded fans just why he remains one of England’s finest.